Turkish court censors book before publication

An Istanbul court has ordered the seizure of all of investigative journalist Ahmet Sik’s work on his incomplete book The Army of the Imam. His manuscript explores the connection between the police and the group headed by Turkish Imam Fethullah Gülen. Sik was close to finishing the work when he was arrested in March. Gülen is now living in exile in the USA. It has been alleged that the book will appear online on 11 April.

Tommy Sheridan attempts to ban biography

Former MSP Tommy Sheridan is trying to prevent publication of a biographical book which alleges that he degraded women during the early part of his political career. He has reportedly threatened the author, Professor Gregor Gall, with legal action. The academic has refused to send Sheridan a copy of the manuscript before it is published, the Scotsman reported. Sheridan’s lawyer has said that they will “use every legal avenue to stop it from being published”. Sheridan is currently serving a three year prison sentence for perjury.

Bahrain bans advisor’s memoir

The diary of a British advisor to Bahraini government has been banned after new material was added to the latest edition. The 600 page book narrates historically significant events during Charles Belgrave’s time in the country from 1926 to 1957. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights believes the book was banned because it goes into detail of how the government distributed land and wealth. Previous editions of the book were also censored by Bahraini authorities.